-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Echoing outrage seen in the streets of Indian cities after a deadly gang-rape in New Delhi , protesters in India 's northern neighbor Nepal are also demanding their government take action over violence against women .

For almost two weeks , demonstrators across Nepal have chanted slogans and massed outside official buildings , including the prime minister 's residence , demanding better protection of women and criticizing what they describe as the government 's delayed response to issues such as rape and abuse .

Some protesters in Nepal credit the Indian protests with bringing the issue of women 's safety to wider attention .

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In India , the angry demonstrations after the gang-rape and subsequent death of a 23-year-old woman have prompted initial changes -- such as increasing the number of women working in New Delhi police stations and official pledges to strengthen laws regarding rape and assault .

`` The media attention to protests in Delhi has raised awareness on issues of violence against women in Nepal , '' said Manju Gurung , of Pourakhi , an organization that advocates for female migrant workers .

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Public uproar began on social media after Nepalese news reports alleging that a police officer had raped a migrant worker . Calling the movement Occupy Baluwatar , named for the upscale neighborhood where the prime minister 's residence is located , the campaign moved to the streets where hundreds gathered .

Some demonstrators carried signs that read , `` Why are you silent ? '' and `` End domestic violence and abuse against women . '' Their outrage focused on several cases of alleged rape and abuse against women , including that of the migrant worker , whom they refer to as Sita Rai .

`` This case is representative of several others that go unreported , '' Gurung said . `` Sita took the courage to speak up , but it is difficult for a woman in our society to reveal such incidents of abuse . ''

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On November 18 , the woman returned home to Nepal on vacation from Saudi Arabia , where she works as a domestic worker , said Basanta Bahadur Basnet , a lawyer who represents the woman .

Immigration officials at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu observed that she was traveling on a fake passport and kept her overnight at a detention center . Three of the officers took her savings of 8,500 riyals -LRB- about $ 2,300 -RRB- , her lawyer said .

One of the airport police officers took her to a motel near a bus park where he robbed and repeatedly raped her , the lawyer said . The woman then returned home to Bhojpur , in eastern Nepal , where her family resides .

`` She was persuaded by her family members to complain , '' Basnet said . In mid-December , she filed the case in Kathmandu , and it began to gain attention in Nepal around the same time as news of the gang-rape attack in New Delhi emerged .

The airport police officer , Parsuram Basnet , faces charges of rape and cheating . He has appeared in court and now awaits a verdict , according to Keshav Adhikari , a spokesman for the Nepalese police . The verdict could take about five to six months but could come sooner because of the high interest in the case , according to police .

Parsuram Basnet has been suspended from his job as a police officer at the airport , but he can not be removed from his job until the verdict , said Dhiraj Pratap Shingh , a spokesman for Kathmandu District Police .

The suspect maintains that the sex was consensual , said his defense lawyer , Bhola Kuma Bhattarai . Although married , he had told the woman that he would marry her , his attorney said .

The defense questioned the timing of the woman 's rape complaint saying , `` She filed a case so late because others told her to do so . Why would she file a case a month later otherwise , '' the defense attorney said .

The remaining three immigration officers accused of robbing the woman have been suspended and are under investigation , according to authorities .

The victim was given 150,000 Nepalese rupees -LRB- about $ 1,700 -RRB- as relief , but it was not compensation , according to Bhola Siwakoti , joint secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs .

She is now receiving counseling , according to Gurung , who works with female migrant workers .

`` We are pushing for female immigration officers at the airport and strict monitoring to prevent such incidents , '' Gurung said . `` Everyone has come together for the protests . ''

Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has stated that he was `` deeply ashamed '' of the government officials ' involvement in the incident , and has assured he would take steps against perpetrators of violence against women , according to local media reports .

Read more : End culture of rape in 2013

Journalist Paavan Mathema and CNN 's Madison Park reported from Hong Kong . Journalist Manesh Shrestha reported from Kathmandu , Nepal .

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Protesters call for change in Nepal , raising similar issues as in India

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A migrant worker was detained at an airport , then robbed and raped , her lawyer says

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An airport police officer has been charged with rape